2008 Global CEO Study: The Enterprise of the Future

IBM just released the 2008 Global CEO Study. The Enterprise of the Future is the key theme of the study, which is based on face-to-face interviews with 1130 CEOs in 40 countries across 32 industries.

The CEO interviews identified five core traits for the enterprise of the future:

Hungry for Change

The Enterprise of the Future is capable of changing quickly and successfully. Instead of merely responding to trends, it shapes and leads them. Market and industry shifts are a chance to move ahead of the competition.

Innovative Beyond Customer Imagination

The Enterprise of the Future surpasses the expectations of increasingly demanding customers. Deep collaborative relationships allow it to surprise customers with innovations that make both its customers and its own business more successful.

Globally Integrated

The Enterprise of the Future is integrating to take advantage of today’s global economy. Its business is strategically designed to access the best capabilities, knowledge and assets from wherever they reside in the world and apply them wherever required in the world.

Disruptive By Nature

The Enterprise of the Future radically challenges its business model, disrupting the basis of competition. It shifts the value proposition, overturns traditional delivery approaches and, as soon as opportunities arise, reinvents itself and its entire industry.

Genuine, Not Just Generous

The Enterprise of the Future goes beyond philanthropy and compliance and reflects genuine concern for society in all actions and decisions.

To me, the key message that comes through loud and clear in the 2008 IBM CEO Global Study is that the key success factor for the enterprise of the future is talented people. Successful companies must be able to attract and retain top talent, both at the top of the organization – starting with the CEO – and across the organization – where employees and partners around the world have to quickly deal with the requirements of rapidly changing markets.

Technology, without a doubt, is indispensable. It is necessary, but far from sufficient. Above all, the study revealed the dramatic increase in the number of CEOs who see important change ahead. It highlights how the organization’s ability to absorb and manage change will be the key distinction between winning and losing companies in the global economy.